Bob Marley Art and culture Who was

Who was Bob Marley? • A Jamaican reagge singer, songwriter, musician, rhythm guitarist • Became well known by his reggae song as “No Woman No Cry”, “I Shot the Sheriff”, “Could You Be Loved”, “Jamming” and many others • The album Legend was the best selling reggae album in the world in 1984 • It is selling more than 12 mil copies worldwide

Jamaica

Robert , Bob‘ Nesta Marley Childhood • • Born in Jamaica, Nine Mile, 6 February 1945 Father – a white soldier Mother – a black singer in church choir faced questions about his own racial identity throughout his life • Once he said: “My father was a white, my mother black and I was something between them. I don't dip on nobody's side. The only truth is in God. He created me as black and white man. ”

Career • Left school at the age of 14 and said: “If I graduated all those school, I would be a living idiot now. ” • Started to make music with his friend Nevill Levingston • Marley said about music: „How can music be so perfect when people make it? The music opens gate to heaven. It takes you to different places. It is beautiful. “ • After few changes he and his other 2 friends, Nevill and Peter, formed a music band “The Wailers” in 1863 • They started to make new songs which were mainly about love, freedom, revolution, laws and destiny

“The Wailers”

• Their first album – “Catch A Fire” • Eric Clapton recorded one song from this album – “I Shot the Sheriff” and raised Marley’s international profile • “The Wailers” broke up in 1976 and all members started their solo careers • Despite the break up, Marley continued as “Bob Marley & The Wailers” • Recorded probably the most popular song “No Woman No Cry”

Diagnosis of Cancer • • • Marley injured his toe during the playing football in Paris Doctors found the tumour Marley refused the sergery Rastafari believe that the body must be as one unit He said: „Rastafari refuses the amputation. I do not allow to take my body to pieces. He regarded doctors as cheaters, crooks • The rest of the tour was cancelled

During his favourite game

Marley’s Death • While flying home from Germany to Jamaica Marley's vital functions worsened • After landing in Miami, Florida, he was taken to the hospital for immediate medical attention • Died at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami on the morning of 11 May 1981, at the age of 36 • His final words to his son Ziggy were “Money can't buy life”

Legend is a greatest hits collection of Bob Marley & The Wailers songs, released in 1984

• Marley was buried near his birthplace in Jamaica • In the coffin, there were his red guitar Gibson, a football, a ganja bud, his ring and the Bible • In April 1981, Bob was declared as a national hero • The day of his death is called as the Day of Sorrow in the whole Jamaica • Marley’s music has remained popular many years after his death • He was the man who introduced the world to the mystic power of reggae to the whole world • In 1999, Time magazine chose Bob Marley & The Wailers' Exodus as the greatest album of the 20 th century.

His personal life • Marley had a number of children • three with his wife Rita • two adopted from Rita's previous relationships • several others with different women • The Bob Marley official website says about his eleven children • Bob Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae

What is a Rastafari movement (Rasta)? • is a monotheistic, new religious movement that arose in Jamaica in the 1930 s • The origin of this religion is in Africa in Ethiopia • It is not only a religion but also a lifestyle • The major faith – Heile Selassie is alive God for the black race • H. Selassie was the black Emperor of Ethiopia • He is viewed as the Messiah who will lead the people of Africa to freedom

Some features of Rasta • • • 3 colours – red, green and gold Red - signifies the blood of martyrs Green - the vegetation and beauty of Ethiopia Gold – the wealth of Africa Sometimes the black colour is used – colour of Africa

• Wearing the dreadlock on Rastafaris’ heads • Rastas maintain that locks are supported by Leviticus 21, 5: „They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in the flesh. “

• Marihuana = ganja • Is used for spiritual events • Its use is described in the Bible: • Psalm 104, 14 „. . . and He gave grass to cattle, livestock and as plant to people“ • Exodus 10, 11 „. . . eat every plant on the Earth“. • • • Food – I-tal meal Natural food without any chemicals Many rastafaris (also B. M. ) are vegans or vegetarians prefer natural and vegetal drink Alcohol, milk and coffee are regarded as an artificial products

Marley’s quotation: “If you laugh, the whole world will laugh with you. If you cry, you will cry alone”.